Page 112 of Running Winter

"I couldn’t because you'd have told him!" Rayna exclaimed as I nodded.

"True."

"Baby, this is something else. You didn't text me,” Chase mumbled into her hair.

"Your dad said it would be better as a complete surprise! I missed you so much."

"Uncle C knew?" I demanded as she looked over at me with amusement.

"Everyone knew.” She laughed.

"Rafe, give us an hour. I need to punish my girl," Chase growled, lifting Rayna and carrying her over to his bed.

She squealed and I groaned, covering my eyes and ears. I couldn't leave the room fast enough.

Fucking couples.

INTRUDER

R A V E N

I loved nothing more than having the house to myself, but something was bothering me.

Leigh had been off with me ever since the dinner. He’d barely spoken to me, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. I wanted to demand answers, but I knew that Leigh would shut me out even more if I did. He was such a quiet man, and I didn't know how to handle him.

Leigh had slept beside me last night, and through the night, he had scooped me into his arms and buried his head in my hair before falling back to sleep.

It had given me false hope because when I woke up this morning, he was gone.

I slid on a neon orange bikini and wrapped my silk robe around me, determined to swim.

I padded down the stairs, smiling at Manny who was standing by the door, talking to Carlos.

Both headed to their positions outside the house; they nodded at me respectfully before returning to their conversation.

"Morning," I called out as I breezed into the kitchen.

Leigh was sitting on the stool facing the television, scooping cereal into his mouth.

I ignored him before dropping my robe to the floor, wearing just my bikini.

The spoon clattered into the bowl, and I smirked to myself.

He could try to pretend there was nothing between us, but I knew otherwise.

"Beautiful morning for a swim," I heard Leigh call out before I dived into the refreshingly cool water.

I swam a length underwater, twisting my body and kicking off from the side before swimming back to my original entry point, my hands slicing through the water. I repeated this until my lungs needed more air, and I switched to my back, moving through the water at a slower pace.

I became aware of Leigh watching me, sitting on an outdoor chair with his coffee mug in one hand. He wore sunglasses that hid his eyes, but I knew they were on me.

I dipped my head back into the water, enjoying the cool sensation on my scalp. I gazed up at the sky and smiled to myself.

I, Raven Deacon, was running Winterburg for two whole weeks. It was a simple enough job until someone fucked up. I wasn't stupid—I knew what pies my Dad had his fingers in—but I was more about making sure it all ran smoothly.

People needed to be where they were told to be when they were told to be there. Debts needed to be paid, and lessons learned if not. I knew that people thought I couldn't do it—how could I?

I was a seventeen-year-old girl.

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